[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 2858]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     IN HONOR OF NOT THIS TIME VETS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 7, 2006

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Not This Time Vets, a 
Santa Cruz County organization dedicated to ensuring the well being of 
veterans, both from previous and current conflicts. The organization 
was created in response to the indifference and hostility Vietnam 
soldiers faced as part of the Nation's criticism of the war. A non-
profit organization, Not This Time Vets is committed to honoring the 
service and sacrifices of veterans in Santa Cruz County as well as show 
appreciation for citizens currently serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, and 
other parts of the world.
  Not This Time Vets has demonstrated its appreciation to our veterans 
by drawing attention to their honorable service as well as advocating 
on their behalf in regard to preserving veterans' benefits and 
programs. For the estimated 18,000 veterans in Santa Cruz County, Not 
This Time Vets works to pay tribute to military service through 
organizing celebrations, informational events and advocating for 
effective veterans' support policies. On May 21, 2005, Not This Time 
Vets sponsored a parade in Santa Cruz, which drew an estimated crowd of 
2,000 people. Those in attendance enthusiastically showed their support 
for veterans of all eras. While Americans may differ in their view of 
current and previous conflicts, we all need to honor the young men and 
woman serving this country, past and present. This is a universal point 
of agreement that Not This Time Vets keeps front and center.
  Mr. Speaker, we know military service is a valuable and difficult 
sacrifice. Organizations like Not This Time Vets provide important 
services to our communities and veterans by providing a forum through 
which recognition, respect and appreciation can be demonstrated to 
those who have served our country. While no gesture could ever remove 
the scars inflicted by war, Not This Time Vets hopes to heal those 
physical and emotional wounds by publicly recognizing their service and 
bringing to light the tribulations they still endure. I applaud Not 
This Time Vets for the services they have provided to veterans in our 
community and their intentions to spread their message of healing and 
appreciation throughout the country.

                          ____________________